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Assessing College Athletic Departments’ Ability to Implement the NCAA Mental Health Best Practices
No full textStudent-athletes endure rigorous schedules, intense pressure, and significant physical and mental strain, all while being expected to show no signs of weakness. This high-stakes environment can exacerbate mental health challenges (Harris & Maher, 2023; Rice et al, 2016 & Brown, 2021). To address these concerns, the NCAA’s Sport Science Institute developed mental health best practices to support college student-athletes. However, FBS Division I non-autonomous athletic programs often struggle to fully implement these guidelines due to resource limitations, despite their commitment to student-athlete well-being (2021; Beebe & Petrie, 2024). This study employs an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach to explore the lived experiences and perceptions of professionals working with student-athletes at select FBS Division I non-autonomous athletic programs regarding their programs’ ability to meet the NCAA’s mental health best practice recommendations. Representatives from eight of the twelve Mid-American Conference (MAC) athletic programs, all with expertise in their institutions’ mental health resources, participated in semi-structured interviews. Through IPA’s in-depth analysis, the findings reveal that while these programs provide essential mental health support, resource constraints hinder full adherence to key best practices. To address these challenges, this study offers budget-conscious recommendations aimed at strengthening mental health services and enhancing student-athlete well-being
Intimate Partner Violence and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among South African Women: An Assessment of Age Disparities
No full textObjectives Intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to be public health challenges globally and in South Africa. However, studies examining the relationship between IPV and STIs, and the potential age disparities among South African women are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between varying forms of IPV (sexual, physical and emotional) and STI diagnosis among South African women and assess the potential age disparities in this relationship. Methods Data were obtained from the 2017 South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication (SABSSM) National Household Cross-sectional Survey (N = 8,505). Crude and multivariable logistic regression models (adjusting for ethnicity, education, and region) were used to determine the association between different forms of IPV and STIs in the past year (N = 8,505). Models were stratified by age group (15-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-49). Results Sexual (aOR: 2.97; 95% CI: 1.78 - 4.95), physical (aOR: 2.45; 95% CI: 1.78 - 3.37) and emotional IPV (aOR: 2.70; 95% CI: 2.01 - 3.61) were associated with STIs in the overall study population. However, disparities by age group existed. Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) aged 15-24 and women aged 25-34 who experienced sexual IPV were four times and three times as likely to report STIs compared to AGYW and women aged 25-34 who did not experience sexual IPV (adjusted OR (aOR): 3.58; 95% CI: 1.14 - 11.3; aOR: 2.65; 95% CI: 1.19 - 5.92, respectively). Older women, aged 45-49, who experienced sexual IPV were seven times more likely to report STIs (aOR: 6.92; 95% CI: 1.58 - 30.4). Similar patterns were seen for women exposed to emotional and physical IPV. Conclusion IPV interventions are warranted for women IPV survivors across the age spectrum, which may help to reduce the incidence of STIs
Physiological Indicators of Social Anxiety in Preschoolers with the Fragile X Premutation
No full textThe Fragile X premutation (FXpm) is a common genetic disorder often characterized by psychiatric impairments, including anxiety. It results from a trinucleotide repeat expansion (CGG) of 55-200 repeats on the FMR1 gene. Despite its association with psychiatric symptoms, there is limited research regarding the relationship between FXpm and anxiety, particularly social anxiety. Early detection of social anxiety is essential for timely intervention, yet it remains challenging to identify in young individuals with FXpm due to limited research. The present study aimed to bridge this gap by examining social anxiety in preschoolers with the FXpm, utilizing both a physiological and behavioral approach. Results indicated no significant difference in indicators of social anxiety between the FXpm and neurotypical (NT) groups.These findings suggest that RSA may not be a reliable biomarker of social anxiety in preschoolers with FXpm. This urges for further research across different age groups and utilizing alternative biomarkers of social anxiety
Who’s on First, What’s on Second an Analysis of Major League Baseball Fans and Multiple Points of Attachment
No full textNeed to writ
Comparing and Contrasting Diversity and Inclusion Concepts: An Identity-Blind and Identity-Conscious Application
No full textThis dissertation systematically investigates the differences between diversity and inclusion concepts. Notably, this dissertation focuses on exploring the differences between diversity and inclusion climates and recruitment messages. This paper first explores the theoretical traditions that are often applied to diversity (social identity theory) and inclusion climate (optimal distinctiveness theory) and offers guidance on why individuals may react to diversity and inclusion climates differently from the basis of these theoretical foundations. Additionally, this dissertation expands existing theory by promoting a more novel approach of differentiating diversity and inclusion through exploring their relationships with identity-blind and identity-conscious human resource practices. The first study intends to demonstrate that diversity and inclusion climates are differentially associated with identity-blind and identity-conscious practices. The second study is a randomized, experimental design that manipulates diversity and inclusion recruitment messages to assess their relationships on identity-blind and identity-conscious programming. Study 3 is a randomized, experimental design that manipulates identity-blind and identity-conscious policy statements to assess their relationships on organizational attraction. Further, Study 3 provides four potential theoretical moderators that influence the relationship that identity-conscious policy statements have on organizational attraction. Study 2 and 3 together employ a causal-chain experimental design as outlined in Spencer et al., (2005) to provide stronger inferences of causation associated with the theoretical model being proposed
Child-Caregiver Relational Closeness and Child Mental Health in Nonparental Care Settings
No full textThis dissertation examines child-caregiver relational closeness and child mental health within nonparental care systems in Low- and Middle-Income countries (LMICs). Five key factors impacting the well-being of orphaned, separated, and vulnerable children in LMICs are explored using the Positive Outcomes for Orphans (POFO) dataset: child maltreatment, social support, child-caregiver relationships, and nonparental care systems. First, I examined the relationship between maltreatment, social support, and mental well-being. Findings showed that maltreatment was associated with lower mental well-being, where social support (emotional support, tangible support, positive social support) was associated with greater mental well-being, even in the concurrent presence of maltreatment. Second, I examined the association between child-caregiver relational closeness and child mental well-being. Child-caregiver dyads where both the child and caregiver reported close relationships had the highest level of mental well-being. Discordance between child-reported and caregiver-reported closeness led to greater differences in mental well-being, with child-reported closeness being the stronger indicator of child mental well-being. Finally, I introduce the Structural Iatrogenesis framework, which examines how bureaucratic nonparental care systems that are designed to protect children may worsen child mental health. Policy and practice implications are outlined based systemic facilitators and barriers, including prioritizing kinship care, harnessing technological resources, and enforcing global standards of care. These findings highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing child mental health within global nonparental care systems, emphasizing the importance of enhancing child social support, strengthening child-caregiver relational closeness, and reforming care systems to better support the needs of vulnerable children and youth
An Investigation of Preservice and Novice Elementary Education Graduate Students’ Self-Efficacy Toward Teaching Engineering Design
No full textThis mixed-methods action research study examined how an experiential learning–based pedagogical approach influenced the development of teaching engineering self-efficacy in preservice and novice elementary education graduate students. Grounded in Bandura’s self-efficacy theory and Kolb’s experiential learning cycle, the study examined the impact of mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion, and affective states on shaping participants’ instructional self-efficacy. Data were collected using the Teaching Engineering Self-Efficacy Scale (TESS), written reflections, and a focus group. Engineering pedagogical content knowledge was the only TESS construct to show statistically significant gains, while qualitative findings indicated broader growth in self-efficacy and emotional readiness. The study’s findings indicate the potential value of integrating mastery through authentic classroom teaching experiences and guided reflection in elementary engineering teacher preparation programming. Keywords: experiential learning, teaching engineering self-efficacy, preservice teachers, elementary engineering, teacher preparation, action research, mixed method
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Sport Industry: Trademark Challenges and Legal Issues for Sport Brands
No full textThis study explores the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and trademark law, focusing on the implications of AI-driven brand management in the sport industry. As AI technologies increasingly shape marketing strategies, particularly through fan engagement and content creation, they present new legal challenges, especially concerning trademark infringement, false endorsement, and the protection of athletes’ Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights. The study analyzes key legal issues arising from AI’s role as both a tool and a potential legal actor in brand management, emphasizing the evolving definitions of “use in commerce” and the liability of sport organizations and third-party platforms.
Through case law analysis, this study employed doctrinal legal research to explore how trademark law is adapting to technological advancements. By examining key court cases, the research aimed to uncover how courts have navigated the challenges posed by AI in trademark disputes. This approach, which focuses on interpreting case law and statutes (Hutchinson & Duncan, 2012; McConville & Chui, 2017), allowed for a deeper understanding of how trademark protections are evolving to address issues such as athlete branding and NIL rights. The study revealed trends in judicial reasoning and highlights the intersection of legal doctrines with emerging technological innovations.
The findings highlight the need for sport organizations to adopt proactive legal safeguards in their digital partnerships, ensuring that AI tools and platforms adhere to clear legal frameworks for brand protection The study also shows the importance of understanding AI’s potential for violating athletes’ NIL rights, particularly through the generation of unauthorized likenesses or false endorsements, as highlighted in right of publicity cases. By drawing on contemporary examples from the sport industry, the study further emphasizes how AI can both enhance and threaten brand integrity.
Ultimately, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of how trademark law, in conjunction with right of publicity doctrines, must adapt to the challenges posed by AI. It provides insights into how sport organizations can navigate the emerging legal landscape to protect their brands and athletes’ identities in an increasingly AI-driven marketplace
How Do People Discern Authenticity from Emotional Expressions
No full textEmotional authenticity is a crucial element in the development and progression of social relationships. However, limited research has comprehensively examined how emotional authenticity perception is shaped by different communication channels, visual attention, and individual differences. This thesis aimed to investigate the emotional authenticity perception from multiple perspectives, including the feasibility of authenticity manipulation, the influence of multimodal cues, and visual attention allocation in assessing authenticity from facial expressions. Findings demonstrated that authenticity could be successfully manipulated by both professional and non-professional actors. Participants differentiated both authenticity and emotion most accurately in audiovisual expressions. The audio channel played an important role in distinguishing authenticity, whereas the visual channel was more important in differentiating emotion. Auditory cues were more useful for judging the authenticity of sad expressions, while visual cues were more useful for judging authenticity of happy expressions. How susceptible one is to others’ emotions, how empathetic one is, and how strongly one feels different types of emotions also influenced the authenticity judgement accuracy. Authentic expressions attracted more frequent and prolonged visual attention, while requiring less time for categorization. The eye-tracking results confirmed the importance of the upper facial region for sad expressions and the lower facial region for happy expressions. The eye-tracking also showed potentially different involvement of upper and lower facial regions depending on the authenticity of expressions
Effects of Science of Reading Pedagogy on Student Self-Efficacy in the Elementary Intervention Classroom
No full textThis action research study investigated the effects Science of Reading pedagogy and curriculum have on students’ reading self-efficacy within the setting of the elementary intervention classroom. The theoretical framework, Albert Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, guided the study’s research questions, review of literature, methodology, and data analysis. The conceptual framework of the Science of Reading theory and educational movement served as the primary source of design and implementation of the intervention. Students participated in pre-, mid-, and post intervention interviews which measured students’ perceptions about their reading self-efficacy throughout the intervention period. They also participated in weekly reading self-efficacy questionnaires, which provided further insight into their self-efficacy development. The qualitative research findings indicated student reading self-efficacy grew minimally throughout the intervention period. Mastery experiences served as the strongest and most frequent occurring source of self-efficacy for participants. Vicarious experiences and verbal persuasion served as barriers to student self-efficacy development. Students’ affective states were affected by the intervention material, causing development of negative feelings associated with Science of Reading content. Future research recommendations on Science of Reading’s effect on student self-efficacy are provided